Farm director backs Haskins report

19 October 2001



Farm director backs Haskins report

By Adrienne Francis

THE director of a big farming estate in one of the counties hardest hit by foot-and-mouth has voiced support for Lord Haskins rural recovery plan.

John Varley of Clinton Devon Estates said he was pleased that Rural Affairs Secretary Margaret Beckett has pledged 24 million for rural areas.

But he said he was concerned that the rules governing the aid meant farmers and some other businesses may lose out.

This means that some business may not be entitled to any aid even though they are critical to the economy of some rural communities.

Mr Varley, who gave evidence to the Devon foot-and-mouth inquiry, said he welcomed Lord Haskins call for additional support.

While Cumbria is obviously in need of significant assistance, [we want to see] sufficient resources forthcoming to Devon.

Mr Varley said he was surprised by Lord Haskins comment that farmers who deserve to fight another day must be resourceful and enterprising.

The majority [of farmers] are some of the most resourceful and enterprising businessmen I have ever met, he said.

The issue isnt the farmers, its the business model [which is] flawed.

Mr Varley said reform of the Common Agricultural policy was the real issue which would take some time to sort out.

He said Lord Haskins was right to highlight a bewildering range of frequently contradictory proposals for tackling rural problems.

The government should provide an environment where real, meaning-full and positive marketplace experiments would flourish, Mr Varley said.

• Recovery plan full coverage, FWi, 18 October, 2001
  

• Virus fight inadequate, inquiry told, FWi, 9 October, 2001